Egypt’s Sisi arrives in Beijing to attend Belt and Road summit

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi arrived on Wednesday in the Chinese capital Beijing at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping to attend the ‘Belt and Road’ summit, which is being attending by a number of heads of state, a statement by Egypt’s presidential spokesperson said.

The second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation will see the participation of around 40 world leaders, as well as representatives from 100 countries.

“Egypt is keen to interact with the initiative given that it is one of China’s pivotal partners in the initiative and has one of the most important maritime lanes for international trade,” the statement read.

The visit will also include a meeting between the Egyptian and Chinese presidents to discuss strengthening the strategic partnership between the two countries to achieve their common.

The president will also hold meetings with a number of officials and members of the Chinese business community to discuss ways of boosting cooperation in the economic, trade and investment fields.

On the sidelines of the summit, the president will also meet with a number of heads of state and government to discuss ways of boosting bilateral cooperation and consultation on various regional and international issues.

Xi launched the Belt and Road initiative in 2013, the total value of projects in the scheme is at $3.67 trillion, spanning countries in Asia, Europe, Africa, Oceania and South America, according to Reuters.

A draft communiqué seen by Reuters said that 37 world leaders attending the 25-27 April summit will agree to project financing that respects global debt goals and promotes green growth.

Visiting leaders will be headlined by Russia’s Vladimir Putin, as well as Prime Minister Imran Khan of Pakistan, a close China ally and among the biggest recipients of Belt and Road investment, and Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte of Italy, which recently became the first G7 country to sign on to the initiative.